encouraging the Chinese authorities to improve sustainable waste system policies

China will receive support from the EU in the form of technical assistance, training and knowledge exchanges around the low carbon economy.

Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and Chen Deming, Minister of Commerce of the Republic of China, signed the financing agreement. Andris Piebalgs, said: "Today's agreement with China is a concrete example of how we can work in partnership to tackle global and shared challenges. […] The results of these projects will benefit all of us and contribute to our common objective: a sustainable development of the planet."

Climate Action Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, said: "Today's agreement is an important step for an ever closer cooperation towards a robust international carbon market. Needless to say that it makes a significant difference when now also China wants to use carbon markets to reduce emissions cost-effectively and boost low-carbon technologies. Our joint commitment to carbon markets shows the potential and benefits of smart climate policies. This is a huge opportunity to modernise our economies, stimulate growth and create jobs in new dynamic industries with innovative technologies and clean energy".

Changhua Wu, Greater China Director, The Climate Group added: "The deepening EU-China collaboration on climate change comes at a critical moment when lack of leadership is among the biggest barriers to advancing the global climate agenda. The collaboration focuses on such key sectors as carbon markets, urban development and resource and environmental management, which accommodates Chinese domestic priorities too. I believe that such a partnership and collaboration will benefit both sides' domestic priorities and global efforts in tackling climate challenge. Only through this kind of partnership would we expect real challenges to be solved and the clean revolution to be achieved."

Luc Bas, Director of European Programmes and International States and Regions, The Climate Group, said: "This weeks further deepening of EU-China relations, more specifically on energy and climate, comes at a crucial point in time to help accelerate the much-needed clean revolution, but it will also build trust for the international climate talks in Doha next december. The direct sub-national collaboration through the EU-China sustainable urbanization partnership is of huge importance to achieve this and The Climate Group will continue to support the initiative."